As stated in a previous article (Aug. 13), I have learned a great deal over the past year as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. I do not claim to have all knowledge, or to know the true feelings of all Southern Baptists. However, I have traveled a great deal across the nation in churches, associations, state convention meetings, colleges and seminaries. I have talked to a huge number of people.
Frank PageIn addition to the things which I mentioned in a previous column, I am discovering yet other things. There are an amazing number of people of every age who are concerned about our convention. I have discovered that there are many young pastors who are deeply interested in the work of our convention.
While many of our annual meetings manifest a clearly older group of people, I find that there are still a large number of young pastors and lay people who truly are interested in the future of our convention. It may be manifesting itself in differing ways, yet they have a deep heart of concern. This gives me encouragement for the future.
I have encouraged, and continue to encourage, young leaders – both pastors and lay people – to be involved. Do not give up on the Cooperative Program! Do not give up on our missions offerings which support such a great work. Please continue to tell people that we can do more together than we can do separately.
I’ve also learned that there are some angry people out there. I receive communications regularly from people accusing Southern Baptists of all kinds of terrible things. Some of those people are clearly outside the kingdom of God.
However, I receive many letters from people who claim the name of Christ. Personally, I have been accused of being negative on occasion. To such an accusation, I plead guilty. There are times I have been negative. However, I have attempted to manifest a peaceful spirit wherever I have gone. Although I may disagree with people, I will not let points of disagreement break relationships with precious brothers and sisters in Christ. Please pray for me that I will be a bridge builder and an encourager of God’s people.
I’ve also learned that there are people who feel the need to control our convention. Early on, I stated that I have learned the Southern Baptist Convention does not belong to any group. It certainly does not belong to me. It belongs to our Lord. I ask people to recognize the need to influence our convention in a positive, godly way.
Please know that there are people meeting even now trying to develop strategies to effect the direction of our convention in the future.
Am I disturbed by this? The answer to that is an absolute no. I caution all people to seek to influence the future of our convention in a way that honors the Lord and at the same time hears the deep concerns of God’s people.
Yes, I have learned a great deal over these past months.